She was the only Westerner to sing for the Sultan of Brunei. She sang and played piano in Iran, had her own cabaret act on cruise ships from coast to coast, starred in her own musical production in New York, performed for audiences in Hong Kong and even crooned for a couple who were married on an iceberg in Antarctica. This is the story of Robyn McCorquodale, a quintessential lounge singer with a remarkable story.
Robyn’s greatest achievement, however, would play out closer to home. For over 20 years, singing and playing piano on the road, never knowing where she’d wake up the next morning was her reality – until her world shifted 360 degrees.
ROBYN THE CAREGIVER
In April 2015, after debuting her latest show Diary of a Piano Girl in New York City, Robyn was scheduled to return to Vancouver. When she arrived home, she stepped into the role of caregiver for her parents. In recent years, their conditions had slowly worsened. Robyn couldn’t bear the thought of living her nomadic lifestyle any longer. She needed to be with the people she loved most in the world. Mom and Dad were her biggest fans.
Robyn remembers her parents’ encouragement in every facet of her life while growing up, “I was very involved in drama and took singing lessons. At age 10, I entered a community talent contest singing “The Lonely Goatherd,” from The Sound of Music. Miraculously, I won the competition, which landed me as a solo performer in a community concert troupe that entertained in care homes, hospitals, extended care and even a maximum-security prison.”
Robyn decided to hit the pause button on her career and devote herself to her parents. “I knew I would continue on with the writing, recording and performances of Diary of a Piano Girl, but I also knew I wanted to travel less and be home more so I could be a support for my parents.”
During October 2017, Robyn’s dad had been released from hospital after a serious fall. “By my own diagnosis, he was released too soon so I stayed with Mom and Dad 24/7 afterwards.” Fast forward a few months and Robyn was at a rehearsal for an upcoming concert. Within a couple of hours, she received the call with news that her parents fell on each other, and paramedics were on the way. At the time, her parents were living at an independent retirement living residence. The fall left Robyn without a choice. She needed to move them into long-term care. She could no longer handle taking care of them without help.
While caring for her parents, she’d jog to help deal with the tension and listen to music to relax. It was while running near the sea wall that the first lyrics of a game-changing song imprinted on her brain. Those lyrics would be the foundation for “We Fly Together or Not at All.” The song went on to become a viral hit online.
“The song was inspired by my chapter as a primary caregiver and advocate for my parents and was written just before COVID-19 hit.”
It honours seniors and celebrates health care professionals and medical first responders. The song began to take on a lot more meaning as the pandemic unfolded.
“It was a cathartic project that helped when I was locked out of my parents’ care home and continued with even more passion after my dad passed away. The song and video were a way to honour my dad, who was my No. 1 fan throughout my life.”
PLAYING FOR THE SULTAN
Rewind: After Robyn graduated from UBC with a degree in music her agent asked if she would play for the richest man in the world – The Sultan of Brunei. At this point, she had no pop repertoire as she was classically trained. She had one week before flying out to shop, pack and learn enough pop lounge songs to get her through a four-hour engagement. Of no surprise, Madonna’s “Material Girl” and “Like a Virgin” were huge hits!
Robyn performed at the palace seven nights a week from 8 p.m. until 3 a.m. for the Sultan, his brother, Prince Jefri, many other male government ministers as well as a haram of 30 to 50 woman.
“I was overwhelmed and in shock the first evening when I arrived to a lounge full of young beautiful women, all dressed up to the nines in designer clothes,” she recalls.
Caroline, the Prince’s property manager, a young English woman, quickly befriended Robyn and assured her of her safety.
“I never felt that I was in danger after that first moment of sudden panic, and that was due to my connection with Caroline,” she says. “I had many conversations with Prince Jefri and was always very careful to be professional. He liked me not just because I was female and blonde, but he was impressed that I could also play piano and learned songs in his native language. I was never propositioned to join ‘the girls’ – but the opportunity was definitely there, and I would have come home a lot richer in dollars, but a lot poorer in spirit and soul.”
For Robyn, the experience was life defining. “Living in a kingdom for two months under the power and control of one man, a kingdom that had everything that money could buy and not so much of what it couldn’t buy, like happiness, that gig was the beginning of my journey towards being a strong and independent woman, and seeds were planted to write my own songs, uplifting songs with meaningful lyrics that could empower and inspire and celebrate inner beauty.”
DIARY OF A PIANO GIRL
Robyn is best known for her original multi-media presentation, “Diary of A Piano Girl.”
The performance showcases her original songs, and she shares personal anecdotes from her journey, life lessons and the stories behind the songs. The photos and videos from her travels through seven continents are synched up to the show.
“It was exciting to debut it first at the Orpheum Annex in Vancouver, and even more rewarding to debut it in New York with multiple performances and to wonderful reviews,” says Robyn. “It was something no one else had done before, even in New York, and it worked!”
THE SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE
After Brunei, Robyn’s world exploded. Talent managers from across the globe wanted her to play their venues.
“As a solo entertainer travelling internationally, the travel stories alone are endless and I have to say that, at times, my life has felt like a James Bond action movie just getting to the gig and home again, dodging bombs and police dogs in airports (Madrid and London), climbing up rope ladders to embark on moving cruise ships, as well as hitchhiking along the Grand Canal in Venice just to make it to my ship in time.”
The music has always been her joy and the easy part. Arriving at the concert and staying physically strong and healthy can be challenging. She’s learned to travel with only carry-on luggage.
“After my suitcase going astray 14 times in 10 months, I realized my suitcase had seen more of France, Italy, and Spain than I had.”
Other than in Vancouver, New York, Hong Kong, and Brunei, her performances have been on cruise ships as a guest entertainer-headlining act on the main stage. “It has been fun to share my stories and music and meet people from around the world.”
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
Time Robyn spent in New York City shortly after the events of 9/11 established her career.
“I was booked to fly to New York September 11, 2001 to meet an entertainment management team that was interested in my talent,” she says. “I had my airline tickets in hand. Then my Vancouver agent told me I was booked for the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel lounge gig the following weekend. I was not happy at the time. I tried to get out of the Fairmont gig, but ultimately decided to keep the peace and move my flights to October 2.”
Like many of us, Robyn can recall 9/11 like it was yesterday.
“It was a very sunny day in Vancouver. I went for my usual early morning run on the Stanley Park seawall and popped into a coffee shop on Denman on the way back. Everyone was glued to the TV and that is when I learned about the first tower going down. I ran home and watched in disbelief as
the second tower fell. Like everyone, I was in shock and very emotional. Given all my past cruise ship gigs, I knew many people in the US and especially in the NY Metropolitan Tri-State area. And, of course, I now had a connection with a management company in Manhattan.”
“Vancouver family and friends called that morning, realizing my near miss and what could have happened had I flown that day. It’s in those moments that you really think about the Universe and if things happen by chance or by design. I, for sure, felt incredibly grateful and called my Vancouver agent to thank him for making me rebook my flights.”
Robyn waited a week before calling the manager in New York, but when she did, she inquired if it was still “appropriate” to come to New York. Without hesitation he said, “it’s always appropriate to come to New York!” Robyn emphasizes, “That is the New York spirit I came to know well and love!”
The city embraced her, especially since this was an era when people were trying to leave the chaos of the big city for somewhere safer. “I made friendships fast and had a full-time gig with a Jazz quartet within a few weeks, singing in hotels and restaurants and fronting a Big Band through the Christmas season. I was performing solo shows of my original music.”
Today, Robyn is as busy as ever. “I’m just starting a new recording project with Producer Vince Mai. My song, “Front Row of Life” shares a poignant message honouring the magnificence of seniors and advocating for their care and support in living joy-filled lives.”
In addition, Robyn is singing twice a week at the Windermere Care Centre – leading Sunday Singspiration for Seniors as well as entertaining with Summer Songs for Seniors. “I plan to do a lot more performing at retirement residences and care homes in the future when it feels safe to do so – I love it!”
SNAPSHOT
If you were to meet your 20-year-old self, what advice would you give her?
“Believe in yourself and your abilities, keep raising the bar and stay focused, follow your heart and always trust your intuition.”
Who or what has influenced me the most? And why?
“Definitely my parents were a huge influence, by how they raised me and by how they lived their own lives. They were there for me every step of the way, finding me teachers, taking me to lessons, watching the track meets and other sporting events, taking me to music exams, attending the concerts and shows, and following me around the world to hear me perform in New York, Hong Kong and aboard numerous cruise ships.”
What do you do to keep yourself grounded?
“Running, music, awareness, gratitude and humour keep me grounded. Running is when I release any stress or negative energy and rejuvenate with positive energy and creative ideas. Music is my emotional release and creative outlet. I love the creative process – the challenge and the reward when a project comes to fruition!”
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